The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-04-07


10 listen to the testimony OF Koschnitzy.
alias bismarck" The substantial facts
81 his testimony were given in his con-
lession last October, and are famil-
ar to the public, but there was
great curiosity to see the man,
hear the details Of the fearful tragedy from
his lips, and note the manner OF telling it..
Every thing about him and his peculiar
,tyle OF narration tended to give force to
dence. He testified positively to see
ing Arensdorf fire the shot that killed
Haddock.
Koschnitzy proved to be the most dan
,erous witness for the defense yet called.
The position OF the assassin when he fired
the shot, as told by "Bismark," CORE
spends with other testimony already sub
mitted, but he described with horrifying
Illustration the face and expression OF the
minister as the ball penetrated the neck.
After "Bismarck's" testimony, Billy Doer-
sam was called and substantiated some OF
the minor points OF Leavitt's story. He
was shown and identified the pants he wore
at the time, and said he had on q straw
hat. Mary Ryan, wife OF Jack Ryan. gave
corroborative testimony as to incidental
matters involved in her husbands and
Leavitt's testimony.
Mrs. Handbook on reaching the courtroom
was visibly affected, and was given seat
near the judges desk. She bore up with
iortitude until the narration Of the details
OF the tragedy were given by the witnesses,
when she broke down with audible sobs
and groans. During the afternoon she
tainted and was carried from the room
moaning and weeping The l,.dy was dress.
ed in deep mourning. Though q woman OF
rare strength OF nerve and mind she was
not equal to the trial of her powers.
On the 31st, Minnie Koschnitski, aged
twelve, daughter OF Bismarck, " was call
ed. The artless and straightforward story
proved to be the most sensational feature
of the trial thus far. She is a black-eyed,
pleasant-faced little girl, whose manner
was that of truthfulness and knowledge
OF what she was saying. She gave a
detailed account OF conversations between
Arensdorf and her mother in regard to the
purchase OF her mothers house by Arens-
dorf, and of money furnished by him to
send the family to San Francisco. The
cross-examination failed to shake the force
OF the girls artless story in the least; the
defense endeavoring to show that she
had been coached by the attorneys for the
state. Counsel asked If she had talked
it'll Mr.. O'Connell. She replied: Eyes,
and he told me what to say. He told me
to tell the truth
The defense in the afternoon began by
attacking the character OF the principal wit.
nesses for the state-Bismark and the
Leavitts. Officers Smith and Bridewell,
who were on the police force Aug. 3, said
11:3O p. m, after the shooting. Hewas in
toxicated and couldn't walk straight
Adolph Metz and William Metz (his father
swore that Bismarck came on their porch
that night about IL O'Clock and wanted
to get in. He was drunk and slept out on
the porch an hour or two. Mrs. Metz cor
irmed their statements. Henry Rice
swore he called to see Bismarck on
Sunday, August 1, to get him to work
for him. Bismarck refused to work
Tor So per day and said he and
up preachers and lawyers; there was more
money in it. William Dalbson, being
sworn, said that on the night OF the shoot
ing he told Mrs. Leavitt OF it. She said,
"Good!' + m glad the --- is kill
ed" He also narrated the trading OF hats
by Leavitt on the night OF the shooting. His
wife didn't want him to wear the straw
hat after that Matt Franciscus was next
called.
He lives near the city, and was formerly
in the saloon business. He said he knew
Bismark, and his character is bad; knew
MIR. Leavitt; talked with him Aug. 3
to whip the preachers; I'm in favor of kill
ing the id -"
In the trial OF Arensdorf, on Friday,
"Bismark's" character wasimpeached AND
an effort made to make out an alibi FOL
Arensdorf, and to connect Leavitt with
the shooting. Jailer Cruickshank. descrid
ing Leavitt's visit to 'Bismark" in jail
quoted Leavitt as saying: you saw
John Arnesdorf shoot as well al
me-" Eyes, SIR" Bismarck replied. D
c. Barnes, in his testimony, said he knew
Bismarck's character to be bad. On thu
night OF the murder he saw him in front
the Columbia house and thought that hi
was sober at the time. Adolph Knep
per was neighbor OF Bismarck
at the time OF the murder. HI
bought the house through John Arens
dorf. He was his agent; paid $500 for it
He gave Arensdorf $3.50 to pay for it. HI
was not on good terms with Bismarck
wife and that is the reason he had Arens
d orr buy it for him. He paid off one lier
on the house OF $40. Ten dollars wa,
due for the rent OF the grounds
John Martin, who runs club room
called the Red Light" said tina
Leavitt had talked with him on the day
of the murder and said: 'These fellow
have no nerve they ought to do up some
of them. You watch me and will do then
up" Before keeping the Red Light" HI
did business over Junk's saloon. Whel
questioned if he kept a gambling house a.
either place he refused to answer on tn
ground that he would criminate himself.